From the March, 2007 issue of Stock Car Insider

Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Bristol Motor Speedway

Next week NASCAR heads to the fastest 1/2 mile track on the planet, Bristol Motor Speedway, for the Food City 500. The 2007 Food City 500 is a milestone for Bristol; it marks the 50th consecutive sellout dating back to 1982. More importantly, next week's race will feature the much awaited Car of Tomorrow (COT). After hearing about the COT for over a year now, fans are anxious to see what impact the new design will have on the race track.

One impact the COT will have became evident in the test sessions run at Bristol earlier in March. The COT is much slower. Only two drivers, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin, over a 3-day span were able to crack 122 mph. Qualifying speeds in years before usually topped 128mph. Slower speeds will leave us all questioning whether Bristol is still the fastest 1/2 mile around.

Thank goodness the popularity of races at Bristol is not based on speed. For the uninitiated, a Bristol race is like watching a cock fight. Throw 43 cars driven by fiery drivers into a 1/2 mile - high banked track, and watch the drama unfold. And typically, the drama spreads beyond the track (remember Jeff Gordon's pseudo assault on Matt Kenseth after Kenseth wrecked Gordon on the final lap last year?).

Of the current drivers who have raced more than 2 races at Bristol, Denny Hamlin has had the most success. In 2 starts, Hamlin has an average finish of 10th place. Of course, COT could change everything.

Other drivers to note:

Kevin Harvick - Average finish of 11th
Matt Kenseth - Average finish of 11th
Greg Biffle - Average finish of 11th
Jeff Gordon - Average finish of 12th

Next Week's Schedule:

Nextel Cup: @ Bristol Motor Speedway (all times EST)
03/23/07 - 03:45pm NASCAR Nextel Cup Food City 500 Qualifying
03/24/07 - 12:50pm NASCAR Nextel Cup Food City 500 Practice
03/25/07 - 02:00pm NASCAR Nextel Cup Food City 500

Busch Series: @ Bristol Motor Speedway
03/23/07 - 02:20pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sharpie MINI 300 Practice
03/24/07 - 11:10am NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sharpie MINI 300 Qualifying
03/24/07 - 03:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sharpie MINI 300

Craftsman Truck Series off until March 31st at Martinsville Speedway

See complete 2007 NASCAR Schedule